Manjummel Boys & Illuminati to kanji and chammanthi: How Malayali links dominated India's Google search in 2024

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Malayalam blockbusters Manjummel Boys and Aavesham stormed into Google’s top 10 most-searched movies in India last year, holding their own amidst fierce competition. Bollywood’s Stree 2 led the charge, with crowd-pullers like Salaar and Laapata Ladies also making the cut.
A Malayalam song, Illuminati from Avesham, too, hit the high notes in the 'Humming to Search' category, clinching third place.
Kerala’s cultural touch points made their mark as well as the Onam feast found a spot in the "near me" search list while the quintessential Kerala combo of kanji (rice gruel) and chammanthi (chutney) featured prominently in the food-related searches.
But Malayali representation was missing in the personality search list. Olympian and Haryana MLA Vinesh Phogat took the crown instead. The Serbian track 'Moye Moye' that became an internet slang for expressing shame had everyone googling, landing it among the most-searched words of the year.
Top Overall searches
In 2024, major events like the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the T20 World Cup dominated Google searches. The political climate was equally captivating, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Indian National Congress (INC), and Election Results 2024 drawing significant interest. Other major topics included the Olympics 2024, the alarming effects of Excessive Heat, and searches related to industrialist Ratan Tata. Sports leagues like the Pro Kabaddi League and the Indian Super League (ISL) also ranked high.
Most Searched people
Athletes, politicians, and public figures led the “People” category. Vinesh Phogat and Lakshya Sen sparked interest due to their outstanding sports performances. Political leaders like Nitish Kumar, Chirag Paswan and Pawan Kalyan drew attention amid election season.
Bollywood connections kept Radhika Merchant and Poonam Pandey trending, while cricketers Hardik Pandya and Abhishek Sharma remained fan favourites. Actor Shashank Singh also saw a surge in searches.
Trending meanings
Indians turned to Google to understand various terms and events. Political and international concerns like All Eyes on Rafah and Stampede were widely searched. Health topics, including Cervical Cancer and spiritual terms like Consecration, piqued people's curiosity. Fun and quirky searches like Pookie and Moye Moye reflect pop culture’s influence.
‘Near Me’ searches
In the 'Near me' category, the most-searched was AQI near me. Food and drink also remained key, with queries like Onam Sadhya near me, Best Bakery near me, and Trendy Cafes near me. Religious and cultural sites such as the Ram Mandir near me and Shiv Temple near me also stood out. Meanwhile, entertainment seekers flocked to find Sports Bars near me and screenings of the Hanuman movie near me.
Top Travel destinations
Indian travellers embraced both domestic and international adventures. Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia topped the international list, reflecting interest in unique, offbeat destinations. Closer to home, hotspots like Manali, Jaipur, Kashmir, Ayodhya, and South Goa dominated searches.
Popular recipes
The kitchen remained a creative space in 2024. Innovative cocktails like the Porn Star Martini trended alongside traditional delights like Mango Pickle and Ugadi Pachadi. Regional and festive recipes such as Dhaniya Panjiri, Charnamrit, and Shankarpali were widely sought. Exotic dishes like Ema Datshi and modern staples like Flat White showed a blend of global and local culinary interests.